Compare the2023 BMW X2VS 2023 Kia Niro

The BMW X2 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Niro doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The X2 offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Niro doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the X2 and the Niro have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, and rearview cameras.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, rear impact and roof-crush tests, its standard front crash prevention system, its “Good” rating in the new passenger-side small overlap crash test, and its headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X2 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2019, a rating granted to only 195 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Niro has not been tested, yet.

The X2’s corrosion warranty is 7 years and unlimited miles longer than the Niro’s (12/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X2 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Niro.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X2 third among small premium SUVs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Niro isn’t in the top three in its category.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Kia is ranked 9th.

The X2’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 89 more horsepower (228 vs. 139) and 63 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 195) than the Niro’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The X2 M35i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 162 more horsepower (301 vs. 139) and 136 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 195) than the Niro’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the BMW X2 xDrive28i is faster than the Kia Niro:

Both the X2 and Niro have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The X2 has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The X2 has 5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Niro (16.1 vs. 11.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW X2, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Niro.

The X2’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Niro doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the X2’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Niro:

The X2’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Niro are solid, not vented.

The X2 stops much shorter than the Niro:

For better traction, the X2 has larger tires than the Niro (225/50R18 vs. 205/60R16).

The X2’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Niro’s standard 60 series tires. The X2 M35i’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Niro Touring’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X2 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Niro. The X2 M35i’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Niro Touring.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X2 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Niro doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X2 offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Niro; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The X2 offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Niro’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The X2 has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Niro doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The X2’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (57.2% to 42.8%) than the Niro’s (61% to 39%). This gives the X2 more stable handling and braking.

The X2 sDrive28i xDrive handles at .92 G’s, while the Niro SX pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X2 sDrive28i xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2 seconds quicker than the Niro SX (25.9 seconds @ .68 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X2 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Niro (7.2 vs. 6.3 inches), allowing the X2 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X2’s rear seats recline. The Niro’s rear seats don’t recline.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the X2. The Niro doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 32% lower rating, Kia is ranked 26th.

The X2’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Niro’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Niro SX’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the X2 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Niro can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The X2’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Niro’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The X2’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Niro’s standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X2 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Niro doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The X2’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Niro offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X2, based on reliability, safety and performance.